Atrocity leaves Drogba shattered

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has revealed that the Ivory Coast squad was "shattered" to hear about Friday's terrorist attack on the Togo national team.

However, even though the Togo squad will play no part in the tournament and have flown home, the Chelsea star insists the Africa Cup of Nations must go on.

The 31-year-old said: "We are ready, but the events of Friday have left us shattered. I have spoken with (Emmanuel) Adebayor and it was a difficult situation for them.

"We have to show solidarity with them, though, and support the decision they have taken. We are all sad to see them leave the biggest competition for African players, but that is life.

"People have an opinion of Africa and it is not so good but we have to let sport unite us all.

"They see us as being behind the rest of the world in financial and in sporting terms but this year gives us a chance to show people a different Africa.

"Africa has some problems, we all know that, but we all have a chance to make 2010 the special year that puts this continent on the sporting map forever. We have this Africa Cup of Nations and then there is the big prize of the World Cup."